GLASS SAND TRIAL AT RECYCLING & RECOVERY CENTRE

Lismore City Council’s Commercial Services team is working with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Graham’s Concrete and Southern Cross University to trial the use of recycled crushed glass in concrete as a replacement for sand.

The first trial will use the crushed glass concrete to lay a new floor in a shed at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre. SCU will then use the shed as a dedicated facility to pilot innovative waste treatment and resource recovery technologies.

Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker said finding alternative uses for our recycled products is the direction we need to head in.

“Glass sand is a product we can produce locally and is our preferred option over the associated cost and challenges that comes with recycling glass in the traditional way,” he said.

EPA Director Circular Economy Programs Kathy Giunta said the funding was allocated through the EPA’s Civil Construction Market Program to support innovation in infrastructure.

The project “will create a clever circular solution for local infrastructure needs like footpaths, kerbs, drains and roadways,” she said.

Southern Cross University will use the shed for several pilot projects as part of its ReCirculator program.

Professor Andrew Rose, Academic Director of Southern Cross University’s ReCirculator Program, said the university shares Council’s vision for the creation of a regional circular economy that diverts valuable materials away from landfill and back into new products.

"This will allow us to showcase innovative solutions to waste issues, and we look forward to working together with Council, local industry and the wider community to help create a circular Northern Rivers economy," he said.

For more information on Council’s Resource Recovery and Residual Waste Strategy go to www.northernriverswaste.com.au/ waste-management-and-resource-recovery-strategy.